The most eye-catching event in the recent cryptocurrency industry is not so much the price fluctuations of a certain coin, but rather El Salvador's significant shift in Bitcoin policy. From initially insisting on mandatory acceptance to now adopting a voluntary legal tender status, coupled with the country's integration of AI strategies, this series of moves has left many observers puzzled. Some believe this is a policy retreat, but behind it actually lies the core logic of cryptocurrencies moving toward mainstream adoption.

Returning to the root of the issue. When El Salvador first implemented Bitcoin as mandatory legal tender, it indeed sparked widespread controversy. Domestic merchants complained heavily, and international public opinion also exerted considerable pressure—after all, global recognition of cryptocurrencies is still insufficient. This policy adjustment appears to be a compromise on the surface, but in reality, it marks a bigger leap forward. Why? Because for cryptocurrencies to truly be accepted by mainstream economies, forced enforcement is ineffective; only through voluntary choice can the market gradually adapt, while also alleviating international concerns.

This involves a key issue: the primary task for mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies is solving compatibility problems. El Salvador not only changed the way Bitcoin is accepted but also explicitly stipulated the use of the US dollar for tax valuation—this is precisely tackling the core obstacle of compatibility. The biggest concern from the international community about cryptocurrencies is, frankly, their price volatility, making them difficult to serve as stable units of account. By anchoring the tax system to the US dollar, it preserves Bitcoin's status as legal tender while addressing the stability issue—an quite clever balancing act.